Logistics disruptions, port congestion delay imports in Morocco

Morocco’s foreign trade continues to face mounting logistical challenges following weather disruptions in the first quarter of 2026 and escalating tensions in the Middle East that have affected global shipping routes, industry sources said.

Importers told Hespress that hundreds of Moroccan businesses are dealing with prolonged delivery delays, with some shipments taking months to arrive. The situation has led to an unprecedented buildup of ships and containers at the country’s main ports, threatening the summer commercial season.

Professionals across multiple sectors described the situation as more than routine delays, calling it a “near-total disruption” of supply chains.

One importer said containers shipped in January have yet to arrive and are now expected in May. “All the containers reached Tangier and were then sent back to Spain,” the source said, adding that some goods are being temporarily stored in Spanish ports due to a lack of space in Morocco.

Importers warned that the delays are disrupting production and marketing schedules. “Every week, the expected arrival date is pushed back. What was due in February is now expected in early May,” one said. Others noted that packaging operations are stalled, which could delay summer product distribution or force companies to postpone sales until next year, resulting in significant financial losses.

According to industry data, the diversion of containers to European ports—particularly in Spain—is largely due to severe congestion at Port of Casablanca and Tanger Med Port. The backlog has been exacerbated by delays in clearing goods, leading to bottlenecks in unloading and delivery operations.

Shipping data reviewed via the MarineTraffic platform shows dozens of vessels waiting offshore, particularly near Casablanca. Among them is the container ship SHEKOU STAR, which remains anchored in a holding area, reflecting the pressure on Morocco’s Atlantic port system.

Ahmed El Maghribi, an international trade expert specializing in import-export operations, said Moroccan ports are under “significant strain” due to earlier weather-related disruptions. “Just one or two weeks of bad weather was enough to disrupt port processing schedules,” he said, noting that vessels were redirected to Spanish ports due to limited capacity locally.

El Maghribi proposed several measures to ease congestion, including accelerating operations at Nador West Med Port to reduce pressure on northern hubs, advancing the Kenitra Atlantic Port project to serve industrial zones, and increasing use of Port of Agadir, which he said remains underutilized.

The situation is further complicated by geopolitical uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict. Industry sources said prolonged instability could drive up insurance costs, alter global shipping routes and increase penalties for delays and storage.